NBA’s Gooden Accused of Calling Fans Fags

Dallas Mavericks player Drew Gooden has been accused by a Los Angeles Clippers fan of calling him and his friends "faggots" following Saturday night's game at L.A.'s Staples Center, according to Outsports.com.

The website reports that Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sent an e-mail to the fan, actor Chris Wylde, saying that he would "deal w Drew." He told Outsports that he is seeking confirmation of what was said and that if any action is taken, it will be private.

Gooden refused to comment on the incident when asked about it after a morning practice. A team source said it was another person and not Gooden who yelled the antigay slur.

Wylde is married and not gay, according to Outsports. He said he and his friends attended the game in Halloween costumes and exchanged several looks with Gooden and Cuban during the game.

In an e-mail to Outsports, Cuban noted that he remembered the guys and that there was heckling involved -- "some not as innocent as they want to make it sound. That doesn't excuse any homophobic commentary from anyone, but it does make me want to get confirmation."

Wylde told Outsports, "I do strongly feel that Drew Gooden and other professional athletes should not be walking around after games loudly referring to anyone, gay or straight, as a faggot," Wylde said. "I've been out with gay friends and been verbally assaulted with them. I've heard their stories before and it sickens me."